When it comes to home renovations, there’s one space that can be focused less on practicality or productivity and more on vibes: the living room. Compared to kitchens and bathrooms, which prioritize functionality first and foremost, living rooms are all about crashing on the sofa and chilling out. So the most important thing to ask yourself when it comes to your own living room is the following: What type of decor makes you feel like you again at the end of a long day?
In a living room, you can truly relax into your personal style and make the design all about aesthetics — whether that means installing a new fireplace, weaving in houseplants, or creating a beautiful mural. That’s why some of the most impressive living room transformations are the ones that start with ho-hum spaces that are turned, through clever DIYs and smart buys, into cozy and inviting dreamscapes. We saw a lot of great living room makeovers like that in 2023, but a few stood out. Here, find our 11 favorite living room makeovers of the year.